This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of year seasons, refrigeration methods, transport and number of milking sessions on the quality of milk produced by farmers members of an association in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. In the years 2009 and 2010, monthly milk samples from each property were collected to analysis contents of fat (FAT), protein (PRO), nonfat solids (NFS), somatic cell count (SCC) and total bacterial count (TBC). The effects of months, year season, types of refrigeration at the property, transportation methods and number of milking sessions were evaluated. The results were analyzed in mixed model, assessing the effects of year season on all characteristics (FAT, PRO, NFS, SCC and TBC) and effects of transport, refrigeration and number of milking sessions on SCC and TBC. There was effect of season in all evaluated characteristics, with greater contents of FAT, PRO and NFS in autumn. Total bacterial count was lower in winter and higher in spring, while the SCC was lower in summer and higher in autumn. There was no effect of transportation or refrigeration on SCC, but they affected TBC. Somatic cell count varied according to number of milking sessions. Year season, transport type, refrigeration method and number of milking sessions influence the milk quality.
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